A video has emerged showing whole uncooked chickens being injected with water.

The practice of pumping chickens full of water is believed to be to plump up birds making them look fuller and better value for their weight.

The footage was reportedly shot in Azerbaijan but the chicken could well be destined to be exported to other markets.

LiveLeak footage of the incident has gone viral and many are alarmed at the prospect of chicken being injected with a liquid, presumed to be water, but unknown.

The scrawny looking chickens leave the production line looking plump and juicy.

Video appears to show poultry factory workers injecting chicken with water to plump it up

In 2013 The Guardian reported that frozen chicken breasts on sale in leading supermarkets were being pumped up with water and additives that make up nearly a fifth of the meat to the point where consumers are paying about 65p a kilo for water.

Studies found that some suppliers used a technique called 'tumbling' in which the meat was placed in a cement mixer style device with water and other additives.

It is not illegal for supermarkets to use water-pumped chicken as long as it is declared in the ingredients - but restaurant customers have no such information.